BETHLEHEM, PA – The National Museum of Industrial History (NMIH), in partnership with the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial Committee, will honor the nation’s veterans on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, with an annual commemoration ceremony and the unveiling of a new addition to the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on the Museum’s plaza at the National Museum of Industrial History, 602 E. Second Street, Bethlehem.
The new addition to the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial was fabricated and installed by Earl Wenz, Inc. and made possible through a Local Share Account (LSA) grant through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with assistance from the City of Bethlehem. The addition represents the continuing effort to preserve and expand the memorial as a lasting tribute to the men and women who served their country and worked in America’s steel industry.
“The purpose of the Bethlehem Steelworkers Veterans Memorial Committee in updating the monument is to ensure that it recognizes not only those who answered the call to serve in past conflicts, but also the men and women who have served in more recent wars and conflicts, as well as those who continue to serve our nation today,” said Don Trexler, former President of the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial Committee.
The Steelworkers Veterans Memorial was originally dedicated in May 1989 at the Bethlehem Steel plant’s employee entrance in South Bethlehem. Conceived by a veterans committee of Bethlehem Steel employees and brought to fruition under the vision of the late Raymond F. Rosati Jr., a Bethlehem Steel millwright and U.S. Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran, the memorial was constructed with the assistance of Bethlehem Steel employees and plant machine shops.
Over the years, additional plaques were added to the monument, further expanding its role as a tribute to steelworkers who served in the nation’s armed forces. In 2020, the memorial was relocated to its current home at the National Museum of Industrial History and rededicated on Veterans Day. (National Museum of Industrial History)
This year’s ceremony will feature remarks from Stephen W. Kaja, Captain (Ret.), United States Navy, Medical Service Corps, who will serve as guest speaker. Captain Stephen Kaja is a career healthcare executive whose experience spans a wide range of the healthcare spectrum. Over more than 40 years of leadership, Steve has served in the U.S. Navy health system, as a director of a Chicago-region managed care company, and in senior executive and CEO positions with several independent and hospital-system physician groups ranging in size from 30 to 600 practitioners. Captain Kaja served honorably in the United States Navy from August 1975 through November 2005, completing more than 30 years of dedicated service to our nation. His full biography can be found here.
The Veterans Day ceremony will also include remarks and ceremonial elements honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families including a musical performance by the Broughal Middle School Band
Following the ceremony, veterans and their families will be invited to enjoy free admission to the National Museum of Industrial History 10am-5pm and enjoy a music performance by the Antebellum Marine Band. Veterans will also be invited to add their signatures to the Museum’s Stand Together Flag Art installation.
The Steelworkers Veterans Memorial stands as a physical connection between Bethlehem’s industrial heritage and the generations of men and women who served their country. Its presence at NMIH provides an opportunity to preserve not only the monument itself, but also the stories and sacrifices of those it represents.
The public is invited to attend the Veterans Day ceremony and join NMIH and the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial Committee in honoring those who have served.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Veterans Day Ceremony & Steelworkers Veterans Memorial Addition Unveiling
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. Where: National Museum of Industrial History, 602 E. Second Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Admission: Free for Veterans and their families For more information, visit nmih.org.
About the National Museum of Industrial History
A Smithsonian Institution-affiliate, the National Museum of Industrial History (NMIH) is dedicated to preserving America’s rich industrial heritage. Housed in an 18,000-square-foot former Bethlehem Steel facility, the Museum features engaging exhibits, historic industrial artifacts, educational programs, and hands-on experiences that connect visitors to the people, innovations, and industries that helped build America. Learn more at nmih.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Megan Pildis
